At a glance
Listed below are brief overviews of the major kinds of muscular dystrophy.
Duchenne/Becker (DMD/BMD)
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) are caused by changes in the same gene. They have similar symptoms, but DMD is more severe and progresses more quickly than BMD.
Who is affected
About 14 in 100,000 males aged 5-24 years of age are affected.1 Males are more likely to be affected than females.
Onset of symptoms
DMD symptoms usually begin before 5 years of age.2BMD symptoms usually appear later, even into adulthood. Upper legs and upper arms show weakness first.
Body parts affected
DMD and BMD affects the heart, lungs, throat, stomach, intestines, and spine.
Myotonic (DM)
Who is affected
About 10 in 100,000 people of all ages are affected.3Males and females are affected equally.
Onset of symptoms
DM symptoms usually begin between 10 and 30 years of age; however, symptoms can range from birth to age 70. The face, neck, arms, hands, hips, and lower legs show weakness first.
Body parts affected
DM may affect the heart, lungs, intestines, brain, eyes, and hormone-producing organs.
Limb-Girdle (LGMD)
Who is affected
About 2 in 100,000 people of all ages are affected.4 Males and females are affected equally.
Onset of symptoms
LGMD symptoms can begin in childhood or adulthood. The age muscle weakness begins depends on the type. The upper arms and upper legs show weakness first.
Body parts affected
LGMD may affect the heart, spine, hips, calves, and trunk.
Facioscapulohumeral (FSHD)
Who is affected
About 4 in 100,000 people of all ages are affected.4Males and females are affected equally.
Onset of symptoms
FSHD symptoms usually begin in young adulthood. The face, shoulders, and upper arms show weakness first.
Body parts affected
FSHD may affect the eyes, ears, and lower legs.
Congenital (CMD)
Who is affected
About 1 in 100,000 people of all ages are affected.4Males and females are affected equally.
Onset of symptoms
CMD symptoms begin at birth or early infancy. The neck, upper arms, upper legs, and lungs show weakness first.
Body parts affected
CMD may affect the brain, heart, and spine.
Distal (DD)
Who is affected
Fewer than 1 in 100,000 people of all ages are affected.5Males and females are affected equally.
Onset of symptoms
DD symptoms begin in adulthood. The feet, hands, lower legs, and lower arms show weakness first.
Body parts affected
DD may affect the heart, arms, and legs.
Oculopharyngeal (OPMD)
Who is affected
Fewer than 1 in 100,000 people of all ages are affected.5Males and females are affected equally.
Onset of symptoms
OPMD symptoms usually begin after age 40. The eyes and throat show weakness first.
Body parts affected
OPMD may affect the shoulders, upper legs, and hips.
Emery-Dreifuss (EDMD)
Who is affected
Fewer than 1 in 100,000 people of all ages are affected.4Males are more likely to be affected than females.
Onset of symptoms
EDMD symptoms begin in childhood. The upper arms, lower legs, and heart show weakness first. There is also difficulty in moving elbow, ankle, and neck joints.
Body parts affected
EDMD also affects the heart, shoulders, and hips.
- Romitti PA, Zhu Y, Puzhankara S, et al. Prevalence of Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies in the United States. Pediatrics. 2015 Mar;135(3):513-21.
- Ciafaloni E, Fox DJ, Pandya S et al. Delayed diagnosis in duchenne muscular dystrophy: data from the Muscular Dystrophy Surveillance, Tracking, and Research Network (MD STARnet). J Pediatr. 2009 Sep;155(3):380-5.
- Liao Q, Zhang Y, He J, Huang K. Global Prevalence of myotonic dystrophy: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Neuroepidemiology. 2022;56;163-173. DOI: 10.1159/000524734.
- Mah JK, Korngut L, Fiest KM, et al. A systematic review and meta-analysis on the epidemiology of the muscular dystrophies. Can J Neurol Sci. 2016 Jan;43:163-77.
- Norwood FL, Harling C, Chinnery PF, Eagle M, Bushby K, Straub V. Prevalence of genetic muscle disease in Northern England: In-depth analysis of a muscle clinic population. Brain. 2009 Nov;132(Pt 11):3175-86.
- Mercuri E, Muntoni F. Muscular dystrophies. Lancet. 2013;381(9869):845-860. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(12)61897-2